Best Writing Books for Horror Writers
- Renee
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Writing horror isn't just about monsters, murder, or the next jump scare. It's about understanding fear, tension, and human psychology. And while screenwriting courses and feedback are invaluable, there's something sacred about the right book landing in your hands at the right time.
Over the years, I've built a small but mighty shelf of writing books that have influenced my voice as a horror screenwriter. Some are genre-specific, others focus on craft or mindset, but all of them have helped me write bolder, scarier, and more emotionally grounded stories.
Here are the best writing books I recommend to any horror writer, especially those writing female-led stories that cut deep.
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
📖 What it’s about: King’s personal history with horror: books, films, TV, and what makes the genre tick. You can find it HERE.
💡 Why it’s excellent: It’s part memoir, part horror masterclass. King breaks down the core fears that drive great horror and how culture shapes our nightmares. A must-read for anyone writing terror with a pulse.
Anatomy of Story by John Story
📖 What it’s about: A deep dive into storytelling from a structural and thematic standpoint — beyond the usual “three-act” model. You can find it HERE.
💡 Why it’s excellent: Truby emphasizes moral weakness, psychological depth, and transformational arcs, all of which are essential when building layered horror protagonists (and antagonists). It’s not horror-specific, but it’s dark and brilliant.
Into the Woods by John Yorke
📖 What it’s about: Why stories work — psychologically, structurally, and culturally — with a focus on TV and film. You can find it HERE.
💡 Why it’s excellent: Yorke weaves classic structure with modern storytelling needs. He also explores how genre shapes story expectations, particularly in horror, thriller, and crime genres. If you want to understand pacing and escalation, this is it.
Writing in the Dark by Tim Waggoner
📖 What it’s about: A horror-specific guide to writing terrifying fiction, from the psychology of fear to the mechanics of monsters. You can find it HERE.
💡 Why it’s excellent: Waggoner is a horror novelist who teaches writing, and this book is loaded with practical advice, prompts, and examples. It’s also one of the few books that really dives into the philosophy of horror itself.
The Science of Writing Characters by Kira-Anne Pelican
📖 What it’s about: A psychology-backed guide to building complex, realistic characters using behavioral science and archetypes. I had the pleasure of hearing Kira-Anne speak at the London Screenwriters' Festival, and she knows what she's talking about. I highly recommend this book, which can be found HERE.
💡 Why it’s great: Horror lives or dies by how real your characters feel. This book shows you how to build flawed, reactive, emotionally truthful people — and that’s what makes us care before the blood hits the floor.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
📖 What it’s about: Beating procrastination, fear, and imposter syndrome to do the work. You can find it HERE.
💡 Why it’s great: It’s not genre-specific, but every horror writer I know wrestles with resistance. This one is less craft, more mindset — and sometimes that’s exactly what you need to face the blank page.
Final Thoughts
You don't need to read 100 books to become a great horror writer. But you do need to study your genre, your craft, and yourself. The right book at the right time can spark a breakthrough, deepen your characters, and sharpen your scares. Let this be your permission to build your horror writing library, one book at a time.
-Renee
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